Quote of the Week: What Lurks Behind Perfectionism
Aim for success not perfection. Remember that fear always lurks behind perfectionism. Confronting your fears and allowing yourself the right to be human can, paradoxically, make you a far happier and more productive person...Dr. David Burns
Greetings Blog Family,
Perfectionism is something I have wanted to talk about for a long time here. I love how Mr. Burns references fear as the root cause of perfectionism because it is so true.
Most perfectionist won’t admit the root cause as fear, but the truth is obvious. The wild thing is most perfectionist are people that most would consider bold, talented, and considerably above average. However, these things don’t necessarily mean they are not ravaged by fear on a daily basis.
It is easier to not do or produce something with the reasoning that you want to put your best foot forward. I call this “Procrastination by Perfection” and it is comforting because you can always say that you have the best “widget” on the market…you just haven’t released it yet.
Essentially, you are sparring the ego a potential bruising because of the fear of criticism that may rain down on your creation if you actually allowed the viewing public a chance to see it.
This is why you must aim for success and not perfection. You don’t want to hold yourself back trying to make something perfect that in your eyes will never be perfect. There are always better ways to do something. It is better to aim for success, get that “widget” out into the marketplace, then work to make constant improvements until you can get it to a level of satisfaction from yourself and the marketplace, then allow your creative juices to move on to the next project.
Don’t allow public perception the opportunity to hold you back. You are bright, talented, and willing to put in the work and hours it takes to be successful….go for it!
9 Comments
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3:12 pm on November 11th, 2008
Great post! I once heard that if you wait til something is perfect before you launch it -you never will!
Tom – StandOutBlogger.coms last blog post..Help Me Buy A Flip Mino! – Bid For My Adspots!
7:16 pm on November 11th, 2008
@ Tom – You never will! That is the perfect saying. Thanks for sharing. It is so true. You just got to get it out there and start the tweaking process.
Best of luck to you!
7:48 pm on November 11th, 2008
That is so true and you know what it reminds me? You know that night I was trying to edit that first video and it wasn’t working? You were like: “Just drop the bomb froggy, stop editing!” and I finally released the video without any sort of editing because I got tired and just wanted to go to bed. Now I kinda like it and that might become some sort of trade mark you know…Videos in one take without any editing!
I’m a perfectionist by nature but I’m learning to change that and reach the sweet spot
Nice one!
Ben Tremblays last blog post..Drive sales with offline marketing – going crazy
5:05 am on November 12th, 2008
Perfectionism IS procrastination – plain and simple. Due to the fact that something can NEVER be perfect you just postpone the inevitable in trying to acheive it.
Success is far more rewarding anyway
Nota Bene Consultings last blog post..Make $400k In Four Months
5:43 pm on November 12th, 2008
You’ve got it. That’s why I like my mostly anonymous niche sites- if they’re crap, no one knows it’s me!
WordVixens last blog post..Win Your Own Business
2:45 am on November 16th, 2008
That quote is so true
I think its the fear of failing that drives perfectionism.
10:16 am on November 16th, 2008
@ Ben – You are so right. That night was funny and I am glad that you just let it go because it was/is a great video….and it gave you the confidence to keep pushing forward and making videos. Now you are one of the hottest video bloggers out there and have already made the now infamous Rubix video. Sweet! Keep them coming!
@ Nota – You are a bottom line kind of guy and I really like that about you. People must stop delaying, and go for it!
@ WordVixen – LOL! You are too much, but that is one way to get over being a perfectionist! Thanks for sharing!
@ Soccer – Right on! Keep it moving and get things done!
5:40 am on November 19th, 2008
Very inspiring post, i really had a good time reading it and it givre great insights. Nothing is perfect and perfectionist’s biggest fear is failure, and these are the people who can’t really handle this. But success is something different, it more about confidence and self-satisfaction.
Salwas last blog post..3 Crucial Tips for Affiliate Marketers Survival Online
7:22 pm on June 23rd, 2009
Nobody is perfect so it is almost silly to try an force it upon yourself. Be happy with who and what you are and aim for successful goals that you can achieve.